Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) are used increasingly as concrete reinforcement as a cost-effective alternative to steel bars. Given their corrosion resistance, light weight, and high strength, FRP bars have a 20-year history in Canada in infrastructure such as bridge decks, parking garages, and continuous pavements. The lack of appropriate data about the long-term durability poses a major obstacle to broader acceptance and mass implementation of FRP bars. Moreover, the applicants are conducting new research on the development of FRP ecomaterials based on natural fibers and biosourced resins. These activities require detailing research work involving the characterization of fiber-surface chemical treatments, and fiber/resin interface analysis. To address these concerns, the applicants will conduct research investigating the effects of various environmental/load/synergetic parameters on the long-term performance of new materials and FRP products incorporating a new class of fibers, resin systems with low diffusion, natural fibers, and nanoparticles. The applicants research will include the determination of fundamental properties of control and conditioned (environmental exposure, loaded) FRP samples to assess degradation mechanisms (fiber, matrix, and interface dominated). In particular, fiber and fiber-matrix interface degradation will be studied by Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). Moreover, projects involving the use of particles as a barrier, or any other purpose in FRPs must include very accurate AFM analyses to investigate the interaction of these particles on the microstructure of surrounding polymeric chains, such as moisture at the interface of materials subjected to moist environments. Moreover, our new projects (Tier-1 and Tier-2 CRC of the co-applicants) involving natural fibers in ecocomposites will strongly benefit from this equipment for characterizing fiber-surface modification, and fiber/resin chemical resistance in aggressive media. The proposed research will (1) provide new knowledge and scientific insights into the factors controlling the chemical resistance and durability of FRPs containing a new class of fibers and resins, modified natural fibers, and biosourced resins or nanomaterials such as nanocellulose or nanosilica; (2) provide reliable models to predict the service life based on short-term laboratory aging tests and field test data from in-service structures; (3) validate natural fiber surface treatments and their effect on the behavior and durability of FRP ecocomposites; (4) yield new durability guidelines; and (5) influence upcoming codes and materials specifications nationally and internationally. 30 HQP (17 PhD and 7 MASc students, 6 postdoctoral fellows, and 3 technicians) will receive advanced training on the long-term behavior of FRPs and nanomaterials on this equipment.